Solar activity has taken a big and unexpected jump over the last few days.

There has been no less than six M-flares in the last 24 hours or so, and the 10cm solar flux has climbed into the mid-130s, the highest such values for more than two years.

The flares have resulted in coronal mass ejections, so it is likely that a very strong magnetic storm/ aurora could result.

If this activity holds up for a few days, even the smoothed 12-month sunspot number will show a small increase, and this with the cycle well into its ninth year.

It should be noted that all this activity is taking place from Cycle 24 regions, (although the odd Cycle 25 region is now making appearances ) so once this has subsided, then the trend will continue to be gently downwards to solar mimimum.

As solar cycles fall away, it's not uncommon for short-term humps in higher activity to be seen, but this is quite a big jump for so late in the cycle.